Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she make it her policy to consult the Climate Change Committee on proposals to expand Heathrow Airport.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
In January, the Chancellor announced the government’s support for a third runway at Heathrow. In that announcement, the government committed to engaging the Climate Change Committee (CCC) as part of the review of the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS), on how aviation expansion can be made consistent with our net zero framework.
Over summer, the Department for Transport has been assessing proposals for a third runway at Heathrow from potential scheme promoters. The government is considering the proposals to inform the ANPS review. Further details on the assessment of scheme proposals, ANPS review and how the CCC will be engaged as part of the review will be announced shortly.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the Airports National Policy Statement, published on 5 June 2018, in the context of the potential impact of airport expansion proposals approved at (a) London Gatwick, (b) London Luton, (c) London Stansted and (d) London City on the UK's climate commitments.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government has been clear that any airport expansion proposals need to demonstrate that they are in line with the UK’s legal, environmental and climate obligations.
The Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS) has effect in relation to the provision of a Northwest Runway at Heathrow Airport. Nonetheless, the ANPS is clear that it is still a relevant and important consideration in the determination of airport related developments, particularly where it relates to London or the South East of England.
In January the Chancellor announced that the Government will review the ANPS, which provides the basis for decision making on granting development consent for a new runway at Heathrow. Further details on this will be announced shortly. The current ANPS remains operational until the review has been completed.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of compliance of proposals for the expansion of Heathrow airport with her Department's four tests.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The government supports expansion at Heathrow Airport. In June 2025 the Secretary of State published a letter to potential promoters, inviting proposals by 31 July 2025 and outlining the essential information required in initial plans. The government has received proposals for a third runway which it is now assessing, to support the forthcoming ANPS review against the criteria set out in the Secretary of State’s letter (link). This includes a demonstration that proposals could maximise economic growth opportunities, whilst complying with the UK’s legal, environmental and climate obligations, including in relation to air and noise pollution.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when she will review the Airports National Policy Statement.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government published a letter to potential promoters inviting proposals for a third runway at Heathrow to be brought forward by the summer. The Government is now assessing the proposals against the criteria set out in the letter. Once this is complete the Government will move quickly to review the Airports National Policy Statement. We will update on the timings for the review as soon as possible. However, when conducting the review, the Secretary of State will comply with the requirements in the Planning Act 2008, including consultation, publicity and parliamentary requirements.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many times the Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Security has met the Climate Change Committee since July 2024.
Answered by Mike Kane
The Minister attended the Jet Zero Taskforce Plenary in December 2024, which was attended by the CCC’s CEO, Emma Pinchbeck, and where the government’s approach to aviation decarbonisation was discussed. The minutes from that meeting can be found here: Jet Zero Taskforce – 2024 Annual Plenary 4:00pm – 5:30pm, Wednesday 4 December 2024. The Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Security has not had a bilateral meeting with the Climate Change Committee (CCC) since July 2024.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans her Department has to increase funding for (a) road maintenance and (b) pothole repairs in Twickenham.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Government has already provided an additional £500 million increase for local highway maintenance this financial year. As a result of this increase, Richmond upon Thames will receive up to £664,000 in additional funding.
Building on this, at the spending review the Chancellor announced that the Government will be providing £24 billion of capital funding between 2026-27 and 2029-30 to maintain and improve motorways and local roads across the country. This funding increase will allow National Highways and local authorities to invest in significantly improving the long-term condition of England’s road network, delivering faster, safer and more reliable journeys.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the New Economic Foundation's publication entitled Flying Fair: Modernising the air transport tax system, published in June 2025.
Answered by Mike Kane
Aviation taxation is a matter for the Treasury. The Chancellor announced changes to Aviation Passenger Duty (APD) in the October 2024 Budget to ensure the aviation industry continues to contribute its fair share to public finances. The Treasury also recently consulted on their proposal to extend the scope of the higher rate of APD to all private jets.
The rates of APD are the highest in Europe for a tax of its kind, and the revenue raised funds government priorities, including tackling climate change. More widely, the aviation sector is important for the whole of the UK economy in terms of connectivity, direct economic activity, trade, investment and jobs.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to improve the affordability of rail fares in (a) Twickenham constituency and (b) London.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
We are overhauling the fares and ticketing system to make it easier for passengers to trust that they are buying the right ticket and getting the best fare, with the move to Great British Railways passengers will be able to receive a more consistent offer across the network. We need to balance affordability for both passengers and taxpayers as we reform fares and deliver Great British Railways, ensuring everyone gets a fair deal.
Transport in London is devolved to the Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL) – this includes responsibility for setting fares on TfL services. We know the success of the London transport network is critical for both the capital and the UK’s economy, which is why in the spending review TfL received a four-year settlement of £2.2 billion.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many civil servants are working on Heathrow expansion.
Answered by Mike Kane
The Chancellor announced on 29 January that the government supports expansion that is in line with our legal, environmental and climate obligations and has invited proposals for a third runway at Heathrow Airport, to be brought forward by the summer.
As the lead Department supporting this key priority, we are working with colleagues across government to ensure appropriate resource to support the successful delivery of this work.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when she will publish the Aviation Night Noise Effects report.
Answered by Mike Kane
The Aviation Night Noise Effects study is expected to conclude later this year and we intend to publish the report as soon as possible once it has been reviewed.